Rare: Australia has the oldest rock art of 17 thousand - year - old kangaroo

The 2 - foot [2 m] art work was painted with red ocher on a rock.

It was found in the Kimberley region of western Australia, known for its abalone rock paintings.

Its age was determined by radiocarbons dating from the ancient nests of wasps. The findings were published in the magazine “Nature Human Behavior” on Tuesday, the BBC reports.

“On radiocarbons date three wasps' nests on the foundation of the painting and three nests built on it to determine, with confidence, that the painting is between 17,500 and 17,100 years old; probably 17,300 years old”, said researcher Damiann Finch, a geologist from Melbourne University.

Scientists say that this assessment makes the oldest - known and untouched art work in Australia.